Monaco central defender Julien Rodriguez has beaten the Champions League transfer deadline to complete his £1m move to Rangers.

The 27-year-old has signed a four-year contract at Ibrox after a medical.

Rodriguez, who had two years left on his Monaco deal, skippered Didier Deschamp's side last season.

Rangers manager Alex McLeish said: "He has a wealth of experience, which is something we need to aid the aspirations of the club."

The French defender is free to play in Tuesday's Champions League qualifier in Cyprus against Anorthosis Famagusta.

McLeish had turned to Rodriguez after Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos rejected the club's offer to remain in Glasgow.

I have experienced the Ibrox atmosphere and it was something special

Julien Rodriguez

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain said: "It has been a very worthwhile few days of positive negotiatons with Monaco and the player and we are looking forward to Julien achieving his ambitions with us."

Rodriguez becomes the fourth club captain to have been signed by McLeish in the last two months.

His friend and former Monaco team-mate, Jose-Karl Pierre-Fanfan, was skipper at Paris St Germain, while Ian Murray and Brahim Hemdani wore the armband at Hibernian and Marseille respectively.

Rodriguez came through the youth ranks at Monaco and made 24 appearances for the French club in their domestic league and Europe last term.

He made his European debut in a 1-0 home defeat by Rangers in September 2000.

Rodriguez recalled: "I have experienced the Ibrox atmosphere and it was something special.

"I know that Rangers are a very big club and I can't wait to be part of this club. I want to win as much as I can here."

A proposed transfer to Paris St Germain in the summer of 2003 had fallen through for financial reasons, but he went on to be an ever-present that season as Monaco reached the Champions League final before losing to Porto.

Rodriguez is not only re-united with Pierre-Fanfan but with striker Dado Prso, who joined Rangers from Monaco last season.

Meanwhile, Rangers have rejected an approach from Brighton to take winger Chris Burke on loan.